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Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Eurasian Collared Doves in Winter WeatherJanuary 2007

Photo by Linda Jacobson
of Leander, Texas

Several people have written in wondering about
the identification of this dove. Most people believe they are looking at
the domesticated ringneck but are surprised because these birds are being
found in areas that have cold winter climates. The domesticated ringneck
does not do well in areas that have temperatures below freezing. On top
of that it is very difficult to tell the two birds apart unless you see them side
by side. Then it can be seen that the Eurasian Collared Dove is
definitely much larger than the ringneck. In most cases the Eurasian
dove can be identified through its usual call and occasional scream.
Also the black spike at the edges of the bottom side of the tail feathers is
unique to this species. This spike can be seen in the above photograph.

Introduction

This bird is remarkable for its expansion
of its original range in India and China across to the European
continent. Although it originally came from climates with moderately
warm temperature, it now lives in areas of extreme cold in Norway, Sweden, and
Finland. Apparently it has also migrated to Iceland and the Faero
Islands. These birds were imported to the Bahamas in the 1970's.
However about 70 birds escaped and soon populated the entire island chain. In the
late1980's the
dove somehow managed to arrive in Florida and quickly developed colonies along
the eastern and western coasts of this state. From there the bird spread along the
gulf coast and by the mid 1990s it could be found all the southern
states. Since that time it started pushing northward and can now be
found in most states except those in the northeast.

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Description

The Eurasian collared dove is slightly larger than
the common ringneck or Barbary dove. Their upper bodies have a tan color and
the lower body is also tan but with a slightly grayer cast. There is a black
ring bordered with a narrow white strip on the back of its neck. The
under tail feather have a black base and as mentioned above this base extends
into two thin spikes on each edge of the tail.

Eurasian Collared Dove

Photo by Linda Jacobson
of Leander, Texas

It should be noted that these doves
are known to mate with the domesticated ringneck dove and that the resulting
hybrids can be a challenge for those trying to identify them. For
example I have a dove that produces the normal Eurasian collared dove calls
including the unusual scream but has the body size and appearance of a white albino
ringneck.

Distribution

This bird is found in Japan, Korea, China,
India, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and across the Middle East to Egypt and into
the European continent ranging from Spain in the south, north to the coastlines of the
Scandinavian countries, Iceland, and east into Russia. In North America it
can be found in the Bahamas and in all the southern and western states of the United
States. So far no significant numbers have been reported in the north east

Voice

The advertising call, often heard throughout
its range, is a croo-COOOOO--ku. This call is often repeated two to
ten times or more. This dove also occasionally utters a scream that
is quite startling and unexpected. It seems to be the bird's excitement
coo and is often made after landing from flight. The ringneck dove does not use
this coo but rather makes the laughing coo that they are well known for.

Habitat

In their original habitat, the Eurasian collared
doves are usually found in dry, open areas with scrub vegetation and scattered
Acacia trees. It was be found from sea level to altitudes of 9000 feet or
more. While resident in most parts of its range, it does migrate from
higher altitudes to lower ones during the winter season. Like many
other doves they can be seen in villages and towns in gardens and parks, and also in cultivated areas.
They do tend to avoid moist forested areas where their light color would stand
out, thus making them more susceptible to hawks and other predators.

Feeding

Feeds on the ground, walking rapidly. Eats
a wide variety grains and grass seeds. It also eats fruits and berries.
When living in suburban areas feeds on bread and other scraps. Usually
feeds in open spaces among thorn scrub in the wild, and on roadsides, paths, and in
gardens in suburban areas.

Eurasian collared
dove on nest

Photo by Julie Cartwright,
Cheshire, UK

Nesting

Eurasian collared doves build the usual type of dove nest
in shrubs, on trees, or on building ledges. The female usually lays two cream colored eggs.
Incubation last between 14 and 18 days. Babies are reported to fledge between 15
and 19 days.

In this series of
photos taken by Julie Cartwright of Cheshire, UK, a storm destroyed the nest
leaving the babies on the ground. The nest day Ms. Cartwright found
the babies, reconstructed the nest in a large basket, and placed the babies
in the new nest. Shortly the parents arrived and continued to geed the
babies. The last photo of this group shows the babies almost ready to
fledge.

Eurasian collared
dove babies in nest

Photo by Julie Cartwright,
Cheshire, UK

Older babies in nest

Photo by Julie Cartwright,
Cheshire, UK

Babies About Ready to
Fledge

Photo by Julie Cartwright,
Cheshire, UK

Hybrids

Apparently there are a number of
breeders that have obtained Eurasian collared doves and have cross bred them
with the domesticated ringneck dove. Some breeders have cross bred
them with white ringneck doves to obtain more white doves "suitable"
wedding and funeral releases. As mentioned in the previous section on
ringneck doves this practice is not recommended because these doves can not
find their way back to their owner's loft because they do not have the
capabilities of a more expensive homing pigeon. Such doves are just
left to survive on their own which is difficult because of their white color
and the fact that their parents did not teach them how to survive in the
wild.

As mentioned in the previous
section, a white dove was found after a release in Macon, Georgia and turned
over to a wildlife rehabilitator who in turn gave the dove to me. The
dove lived with us for a year before I realized it was not a normal ringneck
dove. As it tuned out it had the call and scream of an Eurasian
collard dove and although the dove was mostly white, it had the faint spike
markings on the underside of the outer tail feathers.

Dr. Miller persuaded me to give
the bird to an American Dove Association breeder to see if they could
determine if the bird was a ringneck x Eurasian collared dove hybrid or if
it was some kind of mutant. So far I have not heard about the outcome
of these trials.